[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 138 (Saturday, October 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       A TRIBUTE HONORING MR. JOSEPH ACOSTA ON HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY

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                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 28, 2000

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very 
special American citizen, Mr. Joseph Acosta of San Gabriel California 
who celebrates his 90th Birthday today. Mr. Acosta is the 
quintessential example of a devoted American family man, who has led an 
exemplary life of service to God, family and country, and who is 
deserving of our highest commendation and gratitude.
  Joe Acosta is a simple man, a quiet man, a man of great character. 
Born on October 28, 1910 in Sonora, Mexico, he moved at the tender age 
of three, along with his beloved parents Joseph and Teresa Acosta, and 
his siblings to the United States, where the family settled in Tucson, 
Arizona.
  Like many new immigrant families working the great agricultural 
fields of the southwest, Joe had to leave school early in life in order 
to help the family survive. He took upon his shoulders the hard and 
grueling work, without complaint, in order that he and his seven 
brothers and sisters could have a better opportunity to seek the 
American dream.
  Perhaps his greatest achievement, but certainly most fortuitous 
happenstance was meeting, courting and marrying the lovely and charming 
Cecelia Palomares, scion of one of California's proud pioneer families. 
United in Holy Matrimony on September 26, 1936, Joe and Cecelia Acosta 
recently celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary, a milestone reached 
by few couples. Together they raised a fine family consisting of two 
sons, Robert and Vincent Acosta, and a daughter Patricia Acosta 
Williams. They enjoy six grandchildren and fourteen great-
grandchildren, with two more on the way!
  Attaining American citizenship in 1937, Joe Acosta was part of the 
``Greatest Generation'' that contributed to the triumph of freedom over 
tyranny during World War II. While he did not serve in the military, he 
worked sixteen-hour days in the rubber industry to provide materiel for 
the war effort. Later, the great skills he exhibited in his work 
brought his company profits exceeding seventy thousand dollars per 
month that helped usher in a period of unprecedented prosperity for the 
United States and created the great middle class of Americans.
  Through their courage, effort and devotion, Joe and Cecelia, Acosta 
achieved the American dream for their family. They are proud homeowners 
and citizens of San Gabriel, California, and devoted parishioners of 
San Gabriel Mission Catholic Church. Along with the multitudes of 
simple, quiet unsung heroes, who contributed so enormously to the 
collective greatness of American society, Joe Acosta has done his part. 
In the warm embrace of his loving family, he has earned the pleasures 
of a long retirement.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in paying tribute to 
Joseph Acosta, faithful servant of God, honorable citizen of the United 
States, proud and devoted husband and father. From the hallowed halls 
of Congress we say to you Joe, ``Well Done! God bless you and your 
family. And God bless America!''

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